First test required is semen analysis and should be performed twice, 2 months apart. If semen analysis is within normal limits, male partner is considered normal. Varicosel accompanying normal semen analysis is not thought to contribute to infertility. 

Presence of ovulation should be investigated. Either a serum progesterone level determination between cycle days 19 and 21 or confirmation of ovulation by sonographic examination or urine LH measurements can be used. 95% of women who have regular menstruel cycles ovulate regularly.

Determination of ovarian reserve is also important. A transvaginal ultrasound performed during menses is important to determine antral follicle count and thus ovarian reserve. Less than 6 primordial follicles equals to a poor ovarian reserve. Ovarian reserve decreases with age and is severely diminished after 44. Poor ovarian reserve may be expected in women with a family history of early menopause, history of ovarian surgery or endometriosis.

Next step is determination of tubal patency. A hysterosalpingography (HSG) is performed for this purpose. HSG is usually simple and painless but the radiopaque substance given to the abdominal cavity may cause cramping. HSG is performed just after the end of menstruation. Uterine cavity and fallopian tubes are evaluated accordingly. Tubal patency is assessed. Failure of passage of radiopaque substance to the tubes is sometimes related to the excessive pressure applied during procedure. HSG reveals tubal patency but provides little information about tubal function.

Although laparoscopy was widely used in the past fort he evaluation of infertility, it has little role in the actual evaluation of infertility. We advise laparoscopy only for treatment purposes.

Immunologic evaluation and postcoital test have suspectful places in infertility evaluation.
We advise a minimalist approach to infertility testing. Useless test waste time and increase cost.